What started out as a DIY project turned into much more for designer and builder Jayme Guokas. The first custom countertop he created was for a rental property he owned, then friends started asking and a new business was born. Houzz documented the steps Goukas takes to create these beautiful customizable countertops:
- First, he crafts a plywood frame from the countertops measurements. He then puts shaping pieces in places where the sink will be and other hole:
- He determines whether he needs to add recessed spaces for cutting boards and dish drains depending on the clients’ needs:
- The concrete is poured. After two weeks in the tray, Goukas removes it and begins grinding and polishing it. He then puts the countertop in place and applies a paste of beeswax and mineral oil to add a layer of protection.
- To make each countertop unique, Guokas lets his clients add their own personal inlaid details to the concrete. “We talk about colors, shapes, materials, objects that resonate with them and the overall design of the inlays,” he says. Many have put in pieces of glass, shards of metal and more personal items that they want to remain in there forever.
- Lastly, he uses concrete pigments to create different hues and further customize his creations.
This article can be found in its original form on Houzz.
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